Arashi to be the main personality for this year’s “24-Hour Television”

On “Arashi ni Shiyagare SP” which was aired on January 1st, it was announced that Arashi will be the main personality for NTV’s “24-Hour Television” charity telethon this year.

Usually, the main personality for “24-Hour Television” is announced during spring or summer, but this year, Arashi members will start preparations for “24-Hour Television” on New Year’s Day for the support of the Tohoku earthquake disaster areas and toward their recovery.

On the show, Arashi members commented,

“The reason why we are making this announcement on the New Year’s Day is that we thought there is an important thing that we need to reflect upon once again, and we should not forget, especially on today, when we greet the New Year.” – Sakurai Sho

“On March 11th of last year, the great earthquake struck eastern Japan. People in the disaster areas are working hard toward the recovery even at this moment.” – Aiba Masaki

“However, cold winter is still going on, and the brutalest season will come to the disaster areas soon. That is why we are starting the ‘24-Hour Television’ today.” – Matsumoto Jun

“We can not take back the past. There is nothing we can do about the past, however, we still can make our future. We would like to think not only about the disaster, but also about the several problems that are happening currently in Japan, with everybody.” – Ninomiya Kazunari

“This will be the third time for us, Arashi, to take part as the main personality for ‘24-Hour Television’. We will put all the effort into it by making good use of our experiences from the past!” – Ohno Satoshi

As Ohno mentioned, Arashi was the main personality for the “24-Hour Television” two previous times, in 2004 and in 2008, and this year will be their third time as the main personality for the program.